Franken, Klobuchar push for more answers on Afghan prisoner swap

Blog Post by: Allison Sherry

June 5, 2014 - 12:01 PM

WASHINGTON -- Democratic Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken said they are hoping for more answers from the White House on Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, who was released over the weekend by the Taliban in exchange for an agreement by President Obama to release five high-level prisoners from Guantanamo Bay.

In a classified briefing with all senators late Wednesday, White House officials divulged some details about the swap, including Bergdahl's reported deteriorating health.

Franken, who said he was limited to what he could share, said, "a number of concerns that senators had expressed were addressed."

"I will reserve judgment as to whether all the answers were satisfactory," he said, in an e-mail after the meeting. "We know that once Bergdahl returns to the U.S., the circumstances of his capture will be thoroughly investigated. For now, questions remain about whether this was done in the proper way. I don't want to draw any conclusions as of now."

Sen. Klobuchar said in a short statement she had concerns.

"The briefing was classified so it limits what I can say. I continue to have concerns about what happened here and strongly believe that Congress should have been notified."